Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Statement Regarding Drinnan Ban

This statement was issued by the three parties today following today's meeting in Kamloops:

The Western Hockey League, Kamloops Blazers Hockey Club and The Kamloops Daily News held a meeting today in Kamloops to discuss the concerns raised by the WHL and the Blazers organization in regards to The Kamloops Daily News’ coverage of the franchise and the League. The meeting provided the WHL and the Blazers the opportunity to review their concerns with the newspaper.

As a result of the meeting, the WHL and the Kamloops Blazers have agreed to reinstate sports reporter Gregg Drinnan with full media access for the balance of the 2010-11 hockey season.

The Kamloops Daily News has provided an assurance that moving forward, coverage of the League and the Blazers Hockey Club will be fair and balanced.

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My take?

With that statement out, it appears it's back to business as usual. But will it ever be the same?

The relationship has been strained for awhile and everything the Daily News writes, in particular Gregg Drinnan from this point on, will be scrutinized inside and out. Too positive, too negative...It's a tough place to be for the veteran sports writer.

Also, some interesting wording in the release.

The statement clearly shows the WHL had the same concerns the Blazers had as mentioned in the "to discuss the concerns raised by the WHL and the Blazers organization in regards to The Kamloops Daily News’ coverage of the franchise and the League. The meeting provided the WHL and the Blazers the opportunity to review their concerns with the newspaper".

More interesting wording..."have agreed to reinstate sports reporter Gregg Drinnan for the balance of the 2010-11 hockey season". The way it's worded, it sounds like nothing is guaranteed moving forward to next season.

For now, it's good to see it resolved. The focus can now shift back to the hockey club on the ice.

4 comments:

I don't think the coverage warranted any backlash it's more his personality. If you are spending five minutes with the fellow you quickly learn he's not a fun person to be around and I understand why the players and team don't want anything to do with Drinnon

Jess, you know the internet exists purely for the anonymity of it don't you? LOL. It gives every little quack a voice and no one has to be accountable for their words. Silly really. Someone said 95% of the comments wouldn't come if someone had to sign a name, address and phone #. I agree

Twitter @jonkeenNLsports

Jon Keen is the play-by-play voice for the Kamloops Blazers of the Western Hockey League and host of the "WHL This Week" Radio Show which is available at whl.ca.
After spending seven seasons as play-by-play broadcaster for the Swift Current Broncos, Jon headed west to call games for the Blazers for the start of the 2010-11 season on Radio NL
Jon has covered some major events in the sports world including NHL drafts in Ottawa (twice), Raleigh, NC, Vancouver and Columbus.